Gary Chaffin

FREEHAND WIRE SCULPTOR
While attending college (microbiology major!) I discovered my ability to sketch with wire. I first drew curves to make earrings; however, they got too big for ears! Then I created larger shapes, elephants, trains and a mobile above my daughter’s crib. I was captivated by how the wire worked with negative space and kept experimenting, developing and refining my techniques.
Each of my 3D designs are spontaneous impressions begun with a loosely visualized image. As I develop the idea in wire the finished representation takes on its own personality. There are no patterns, jigs or drawings beforehand. Each complex sculpture is created totally freehand. My only tools are pliers and cutters. The silver-plated copper wire hardens at the bends without heat. Even though my artworks have consumed over 120 miles of wire and sometimes I think I’ve done it all, I still get new ideas that just beg to be tried.

2021 Creating 3-D Interactive/Mechanical Wire Sculptures with moving parts
2016-present Juried art shows in seven Western states
2016 Moved to New Mexico
2001-2016 Florida Certified School Teacher, K-12, Media Specialist/Librarian
1991-2001 Nationwide juried art shows – 22 states, 40 shows/year. (RV travel full time)
1993 SeaWorld, San Diego, CA invited me to be their summer guest artist. There I developed 3D standing wire sculptures.
1975 My career as a demonstrating wire artist, specializing in mobiles in a flat 2D style, began at Portland, OR Saturday Market. My “gallery” – a blanket on the ground and rope hung between street signs.

Some of my larger commissions:
Eastman Kodak Co. Aviation Services – 75 international awards
Federation de Gymnastique, Atlanta Olympics – six 4-foot-tall gymnasts
Over 50 years (on and off) as a full time self-taught demonstrating artist/sculptor I have created thousands of custom orders and delight in sharing my unique wire art sculptures to date with people in 21 countries. I have received numerous show awards throughout the USA.